Obado's ex-aide Michael Oyamo denies involvement in Sharon Otieno murder

In a detailed testimony before the High Court, Michael Oyamo, one of the  suspects in the Sharon Otieno murder case, firmly denied any involvement in the planning or execution of her killing.

He dismissed the prosecution's testimony particularly statements made by Prosecution Witness 38 (PW38), as fabricated and misleading.

Oyamo, a former aide of former Migori Governor Okoth Obado, refuted claims that he was picked up from Uriri by Jack Gombe or that he visited Olivia’s house on the morning of September 3, 2018.

“My lady, Jack did not pick me or with any other person on that day,” he told the court, countering PW38’s assertion that he had transported Oyamo to an undisclosed location that day.

Instead, Oyamo narrated a different sequence of events, stating that he woke up at his residence and proceeded to the governor’s home in Migori.

He emphasized that he spent the evening preparing travel allowances as he was scheduled to travel to Rwanda the following day.

 “I got the money. I was in Migori town that evening,” he said.

Addressing text messages allegedly sent by Sharon Otieno to her associate Muller, Oyamo confirmed that Sharon had indeed communicated with Muller, instructing him to disengage from her affairs.

“I can confirm Sharon told me she had asked Muller to step away,” he said.

Oyamo also clarified the nature of a meeting that took place at Gracia Hotel, between him , XYZ and Sharon.

According to Oyamo, Sharon preferred to meet at Gracia Hotel as she had said it was owned by a relative.

He said that he found Sharon and another individual, referred to as XYZ, drinking wine when he arrived.

“She wanted XYZ out of her affairs,” he said, adding that Sharon requested the help pay off XYZ.

Oyamo claimed he gave her Sh50,000 – Sh10,000 for transport and Sh40,000 for herself. He paid the hotel bill and exited through the parking area with Sharon and XYZ.

He recalled that a black Toyota Wish vehicle was parked outside, which Sharon and XYZ boarded.

“As Sharon was getting into the car, I held her hand briefly and gave her the money. I do not know who was driving the car. They left me standing,” he said.

Oyamo emphasized that contrary to XYZ’s testimony, he never entered the vehicle with Sharon and XYZ, and that he remained behind and later used a bodaboda to travel to Rongo town before heading home to Rapogi.

He dismissed XYZ’s account as untruthful, noting contradictions regarding the color of the car and who was in it.

 “XYZ said I told the driver to slow down, yet I was not in the vehicle,” he said.

As the case continues, Oyamo’s defense hinges on distancing himself from the alleged planning meeting and dismantling the prosecution’s timeline.

His statements and defense are expected to undergo rigorous cross-examination as the trial progresses.